focus on feedlots
TRANSCRIPT
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
Focus on Feedlots is a monthly publication that summarizes feedlot performance and closeout data from the six cooperating Kansas
commercial cattle feeding operations listed at the end of this publication. The annual review summarizes monthly reports from 2017, 2018, and 2019 that document annual and seasonal trends in cattle performance, cost of gain, and commodity prices (corn and alfalfa). Monthly reports can be found online at Focus on Feedlots.
Focus on FeedlotsKansas Feedlot Performance and Feed Cost Summary
2019 Annual Review
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service2
Annual Closeout Summary: Steers1
YearTotal Head
In Weight2
Final Weight
Days on Feed
Avg. Daily Gain
Feed/Gain (Dry Basis)
% Death Loss
Cost of Gain/Cwt
2019 291,127 771(731-821)
1397(1,344-1,464)
178(161-191)
3.50(3.13-3.85)
6.37(6.03-7.08)
1.72(1.40-2.34)
$84.37(81.61-91.67)
2018 349,595 779(738-821)
1398(1,356-1,444)
173(163-182)
3.54(3.34-3.66)
6.12(5.96-6.34)
1.58(1.27-2.12)
$78.10(74.87-80.31)
2017 358,092 796(752-861)
1387(1,332-1,429)
164(142-174)
3.57(3.21-3.81)
6.11(5.94-6.34)
1.52(1.16-2.43)
$74.34(71.83-77.60)
1 Closeout figures are the means of individual monthly averages and include feed, yardage, processing, medication, and death loss and usually sold FOB the feedlot with a 4% pencil shrink. Interest charges normally are not included.2 In weight = reported average initial weight of cattle marketed in the reporting month.
In 2019, participating feedlots marketed 291,127 steers, or approximately 58,000 fewer steers than in 2018. Both in weights and final weights were similar to what was reported in previous years. In weights averaged 771 lbs and final weights aver-aged 1,397 lbs in 2019, 1,398 lbs in 2018, and 1,387 lbs in 2017. Steers were on feed approximately 178
days, an increase of 5 days from 2018. Average daily gain and feed conversion were similar across years. However, death loss increased to 1.72% relative to the 1.58% reported in 2018 and 1.52% reported in 2017. Reported total cost of gain averaged $84.37/cwt in 2019, an increase of $6.27 over the $78.10/cwt reported in 2018.
Annual Closeout Summary: Heifers1
YearTotal Head
In Weight3
Final Weight
Days on Feed
Avg. Daily Gain
Feed/Gain (Dry Basis)
% Death Loss
Cost of Gain/Cwt
2019 198,769 704(649-759)
1265(1,220-1,314)
175(159-194)
3.20(2.88-3.78)
6.61(6.28-7.31)
2.01(1.48-2.75)
$89.48(85.30-95.11)
2018 225,752 733(689-767)
1272(1,250-1,308)
166(158-180)
3.19(3.10-3.37)
6.44(6.24-6.71)
1.75(1.26-2.35)
$83.36(78.52-88.20)
2017 275,542 729(696-760)
1252(1,202-1,292)
160(149-171)
3.23(3.00-3.49)
6.37(6.13-6.53)
1.64(1.34-1.93)
$78.10(75.40-80.64)
1 Closeout figures are the means of individual monthly averages and include feed, yardage, processing, medication, and death loss and usually sold FOB the feedlot with a 4% pencil shrink. Interest charges normally are not included.
The number of heifers marketed decreased in 2019 with more than 26,900 fewer heifers being marketed in 2019 than 2018. Heifer in weights were slightly lower, averaging 704 lbs in 2019. Final weights of heifers were 7 lbs lower on average in 2019 at 1,265 lbs, compared to 1,272 lbs in 2018. Heifer days on feed increased to 175 days, a 9-day increase relative to the 166 days reported in 2018.
Heifer average daily gain was similar across years, but feed conversion increased relative to 2018 and 2017. Death loss increased to 2.01% relative to 1.75% reported in 2018 and the 1.64% death loss reported in 2017. Total cost of gain increased to $89.48/cwt. in 2019. Heifer cost of gain was $5.11/cwt greater on average than cost of gain for steers, with $89.48/cwt for heifers versus $84.37/cwt for steers.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service 3
Annual chartsThe figures show reported monthly values for feedlot performance, cost of gain, and commodity prices for 2017, 2018, and 2019.
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
201920182017
Tota
l hea
d
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Steers Marketed
Tota
l hea
dMayAprJan
MonthMarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Heifers Marketed
lbs/
head
900
850
800
750
700
650
600
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Steer In Weight
lbs/
head
900
850
800
750
700
650
600
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Heifer In Weight
lbs/
head
1,500
1,450
1,400
1,350
1,300
1,250
1,200
1,150
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Steer Final Weight
lbs/
head
1,500
1,450
1,400
1,350
1,300
1,250
1,200
1,150
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Heifer Final Weight
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service4
Day
s
200
190
180
170
160
150
140
130
120
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Steer Days on Feed
Day
s
200
190
180
170
160
150
140
130
120
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Heifer Days on Feed
lbs/
head
/day
4.20
4.00
3.80
3.60
3.40
3.20
3.00
2.80
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Steer ADG
lbs/
head
/day
4.20
4.00
3.80
3.60
3.40
3.20
3.00
2.80
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Heifer ADG
lbs
DM
I/lb
gain
6.90
6.70
6.50
6.30
6.10
5.90
5.70
5.50
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Steer Feed Conversion
lbs
DM
I/lb
gain
6.90
6.70
6.50
6.30
6.10
5.90
5.70
5.50
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Heifer Feed Conversion
201920182017
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service 5
%
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug JanDec
Steer Death Loss
%
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Heifer Death Loss
$/cw
t gai
n
$120.00
$110.00
$100.00
$90.00
$80.00
$70.00
$60.00
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Steer Cost of Gain
$/cw
t gai
n
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Heifer Cost of Gain
$/bu
shel
$7.00
$6.00
$5.00
$4.00
$3.00
$2.00
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Corn Price
$/to
n
$200.00
$180.00
$160.00
$140.00
$120.00
$100.00
$80.00
MayAprJanMonth
MarFeb Jul NovOctJun SepAug Dec
Alfalfa Price
201920182017
$120.00
$110.00
$100.00
$90.00
$80.00
$70.00
$60.00
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service6
Ten-year projected cost of gain, corn price relationship The graphs show the relationship between reported corn price and the projected cost of gain for steers and heifers for the past 10 years (2009-2019).
Proj
ecte
d co
st o
f gai
n, $
/cw
t
$120.00
$110.00
$100.00
$90.00
$80.00
$70.00
$60.00
Corn Price/Projected Cost of Gain: Steers
Corn Price/Projected Cost of Gain: Heifers
Proj
ecte
d co
st o
f gai
n, $
/cw
t
$120.00
$110.00
$100.00
$90.00
$80.00
$70.00
$60.00
Corn price, $/bushel
R2 = 0.9362
R2 = 0.9399
$3.00 $4.60$4.20$3.20 $4.00$3.60 $5.00$3.40 $3.80 $4.40 $4.80
$3.00 $4.60$4.20$3.20 $4.00$3.60 $5.00$3.40 $3.80 $4.40 $4.80
Corn price, $/bushel
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service 7
This relationship is expressed by the following formulas:
Projected Steer Cost of Gain ($/cwt) = $33.28 + ($11.16 x Corn Price).
Projected Heifer Cost of Gain ($/cwt) = $34.83 + ($11.57 x Corn Price).
This relationship can be used to forecast the projected cost of gain if the corn price is known. For example,
when corn is $3.50/bushel, cost of gain for steers equals $72.34/cwt ($33.28 + $11.16 x $3.50). Based on this formula, cost of gain will increase $11.16/cwt for every $1.00 per bushel increase in the price of corn. The incremental cost of gain for heifers is slightly higher ($11.57 vs. $11.16) for every $1.00 per bushel increase in the price of corn. The table below lists the projected cost of gain at various corn prices from $2.00 to $7.00 per bushel. The intercept values ($33.28 and $34.83 for steers and heifers respectively) reflect other costs associated with feeding cattle (e.g., labor, equipment, and facilities).
Projected Cost of Gain for Steers and Heifers Based on Corn PriceCorn Price ($/bu.) Steer Cost of Gain ($/cwt) Heifer Cost of Gain ($/cwt)
$2.00 $55.60 $57.97$2.50 $61.18 $63.76$3.00 $66.76 $69.54$3.50 $72.34 $75.33$4.00 $77.92 $81.11$4.50 $83.50 $86.90$5.00 $89.08 $92.68$5.50 $94.66 $98.47$6.00 $100.23 $104.25$6.50 $105.81 $110.04$7.00 $111.39 $121.61
For more information on Focus on Feedlots or to receive monthly reports, contact:Justin Waggoner
Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Southwest Research and Extension Center
Garden City, KS 620-275-9164
Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.
Publications from Kansas State University are available at bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu
Date shown is that of publication or last revision. Contents of this publication may be freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. In each case, credit Justin Waggoner, Focus on Feedlots: Kansas Feedlot Performance and Feed Cost Summary: 2019 Annual Review, Kansas State University, September 2020.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension ServiceK-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.
MF3247 September 2020
Appreciation is expressed to these Kansas feed yards:
Brookover Ranch Feed Yard
Deseret Cattle Feeders
Hoxie Feed Yard
HyPlains Feed Yard
Poky Feeders
Pratt Feeders